Predators trade two plus draft pick to Montreal for Hal Gill

The Nashville Predators have acquired veteran defenseman Hal Gill in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens.

The Predators sent a 2012 second-round pick, along with Brentwood native, forward Blake Geoffrion and forward Robert Slaney to Montreal in exchange for the 36-year-old blueliner and a conditional 2013 fifth-round draft pick, triggered if Geoffrion plays in 40 games for Montreal.

Gill is expected to meet the team in Detroit for tonight's game against the Red Wings, but will not play.

“Hal Gill brings our team a number of elements — size, penalty-killing ability, depth on defense and playoff experience,” Predators general manager David Poile said. “He has won a Stanley Cup and played a combined 69 playoff games over the last four years, experience that significantly benefits our team.”

Gill instantly becomes the Predators most experienced player and the Concord, Mass., native appeared in back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals in 2008 and 2009 with Pittsburgh, winning the Cup in 2009. One of the League’s tallest players at 6-7, 240 pounds, Gill has eight points (1g, 7a) and 29 penalty minutes thus far in 2011-12 playing in his third season with the Canadiens.

Geoffrion — the grandson of Habs great Bernie Geoffrion and great-grandson of Canadiens legend Howie Morentz — appeared in 22 games with the Preds this season, recording three assists. In 20 games with the Milwaukee Admirals, he had nine points (2 goals, 7 assists). In 42 career NHL games, Geoffrion had six goals — including a hat trick — and five assists.

Slaney, who came to Nashville in a trade with Toronto last summer, has spent most of this year with the team's ECHL affiliate in Cincinnati.

4 Comments on this post:

By:Jughead on 2/17/12 at 3:33

Hate to see the local kid go, but it's bidnezz. A bruiser never hurts--and an experienced bruiser is even better. Go Preds!

By:TNBear on 2/17/12 at 5:38

TNBear
I like Gil, Predators needmore real muscle. But, they could have traded someone else & left the local boy alone. But, I don't think anyone doubted Geoffrion would be playing at least a few games for Montreal. I just hope he has some staytime in the NHL. Good luck Geoffrion wherever you play. GO PREDS(especially tonight against Detriot)l!!!

By:sharko20 on 2/17/12 at 8:49

Hate to see Geoffrion traded, but at least it's to Montreal. Their fans will be excited to get him. Glad to add big Hal Gill. Hope Poile can add the goal scorer we all want to the team.

By:asdfgh on 2/18/12 at 9:08

I just hope signing a D man is NOT paving the way to trade Suter. Pay to keep Suter. Please.